Alexis
dropped her car at the parking lot around the corner from Kelly's
and walked the short distance to meet Cameron for lunch. She was
a bit early but she needed time to compose herself before she faced
him.
The past had been on her mind since Independence Day, the night
she and Cameron nestled in each other's arms and watched the sky
blaze with explosive color. She could not forget the yacht she saw
across the water and the woman she glimpsed there for just a moment,
a woman she was certain was Helena Cassadine.
Concerned by her reaction, Cameron very logically attempted to disabuse
her of the idea, outlining all the reasons that it could not be
Helena. She loved him for making the attempt but Cameron's only
knowledge of Helena was third-hand, his database consisting of what
Luke or Lucky or she confided so he was at a distinct disadvantage
when dealing with this particularly nasty problem. Not wanting to
worry him, she nodded in all the right places, kissed him passionately
and dropped the subject. She knew if Helena were to learn who he
was and especially the place he held in her life and in her heart,
she would view him as one more means of destroying the daughter
of her husband and the woman he chose to love more than her. That
she hated Alexis was true and the hatred she bears for the child
of her adored husband's passionate love for another woman could
now reach out to envelope that very child's own innocent daughter.
She feared for Cameron, a man she has come to love in ways she never
thought she would find the courage to again, but more so for her
baby girl and what she represented to a woman as twisted as Helena.
So for the last week she quietly worked with her contacts on the
mystery of the woman on the yacht and at the same time tried to
avoid Cameron. His presence in her life gave her more joy than she
ever imagined but it also brought him close enough to the real Alexis,
the person she shelters from the world, to read her like the proverbial
book. Cassadines are practiced in the fine art of deceit and she
could prevaricate with the best of them. But she found it hard to
lie to Cameron not only because she did not want to hurt him but
mostly because he had the uncanny knack of finding out anyway sooner
or later - usually sooner. Seeing the disappointment in his warm
dark eyes was often more painful than just telling the truth. The
steps she needed to take now required her to protect him from himself
and whatever good intentions he may have. She needed to deflect
him as innocently yet as firmly as possible, the potential for danger
was too great.
As she approached Kelly's her cell phone rang. She opened it, checked
the caller ID and attempted to still her racing heart.
"Leo."
"Hello, Alexis."
The voice of her old friend and private investigator was very reassuring.
Alexis held her breath. "Have you had any luck locating that
yacht?"
Leo replied smoothly, "We're close. The harbormaster had no
record of a yacht registered as CIRCE docked in the port but one
of my contacts was able to come up with the registry number. We
are tracing it and I should have something for you in about an hour.
Meet me at Pier 98. I know we've been through this, Alexis, but
I want you to think about it again. If it is Helena, do you have
any idea where she would go?"
Alexis shuddered at the thought. "That would require my delving
inside that febrile brain of hers and that is one place I never
want to visit."
Leo chuckled grimly. "I've got that. After all the years we've
known each other and I've been around your family, I would never
want to put myself in her spiked heels or in the way of them. There
is something cold and evil about her."
Alexis sighed in agreement. "Keep me informed. I have a daughter
to protect now so I need to be prepared and with Helena it must
always be for the worst. I want to be able to cut her off at the
pass before whatever she is planning has a chance to even begin.
I learned a very hard lesson the last time."
She clicked off the phone and closed her eyes. They had to find
her - and soon.
* * *
Cameron walked up to the door of Kelly's whistling. It had been
over a week since he'd escorted Alexis home after watching the fireworks
in the harbor, over a week since he held her in his arms. He knew
she was concerned by who she thought she saw that night but even
she agreed, after a little logical debate on his part, that she
was probably mistaken. Still, he thought she had given in too easily
and even though both their schedules kept them busy all week, had
the distinct impression she was deftly avoiding him. They spoke
on the phone many times but there was always a reason not to see
each other face to face. He hoped it wasn't because she regretted
anything that happened on their Canadian odyssey. Making love with
her that night under the benign gaze of heaven's starlit tapestry
was magical and he felt that each day he was coming to know her
heart even more. She already held his in her soft, delicate hands
and he wanted her to never regret gently placing her own incredibly
generous heart within his. He looked in the window and smiled as
he saw her nursing a mug of coffee, her head buried in the New
York Law Journal. His day was already getting better.
He walked in still whistling, stopping at a table to say hello to
one of the nurses from the hospital. He said goodbye and walked
up to Alexis, her head still absorbed in reading.
"You know what they say, counselor, about women who bury their
heads in a book?" he grinned as he edged his way into the chair.
She looked up over her reading glasses and smirked. "Probably
the same thing about men, making passes and girls who wear glasses.
I don't happen to subscribe to either opinion."
"Somehow I didn't think you would," he retorted as he
reached out to grab the journal she held just out of his reach.
"It's me or the journal, you can't have both."
"Tough decision. Can I have some time to think about it?"
she pondered as she tapped her chin with a manicured nail.
He loved teasing her and watching the glinting flecks spark from
her eyes. It was even more seductive in some ways than the look
in her eyes as they made love. She was complicated but he loved
every inch of her.
He shook his head. "Times up. And the decision is…"
"Well, if I have to…" she feigned a deep sigh as
she set down the journal, "You, I guess. I wouldn't want to
be responsible for wounding your oh so fragile male ego. You might
get a complex or something."
"Don't sound so excited," he pouted.
At that they both stared into each other's eyes and laughed at precisely
the same moment. It amazed Alexis how very connected they were on
so many levels. She only knew him since late Fall but she felt he
knew her better and more deeply than people who have known her for
years.
Alexis batted her eyelashes seductively, "But, Doctor, I'm
always excited when I'm around you."
He blushed then looked startled. She obviously wasn't regretting
anything about their last road trip from that comment. He started
to lob back a quick retort when her face lit up like the Rockefeller
Center Christmas tree and he turned to see his son walk into the
diner, a matching expression on his face as his eyes rested upon
her. She always had that reaction to Alexander and he to her and
Cameron felt awed but somewhat saddened by it. He knew such a happy,
welcoming expression would never grace his son's face when looking
upon his own father and he sometimes was jealous of Alexis's relationship
with his son. She and Alexander share a history of loving concern
he could only dream about. He still didn't know the whole story
but he did know that either would put their life on the line for
the other without hesitation and never walk away. He felt like a
lost soul wandering about aimlessly in that kind of world, the dark
shadow of his own example of abandonment shaming him.
"Zander, it's good to see you. Can you join us?" Alexis
asked as she saw the wistful, distant expression on Cameron's face.
She knew where his mind was and she reached out her hand to enclose
his.
Zander touched his father's shoulder and nodded. "Hello, Dad."
He moved over to Alexis and leaned down to give her a hug.
To Cameron, that small touch was a hug around his heart and he smiled
a bit brighter.
"Alexander, pull up a chair."
Zander shook his head. "I can't. I need to pick up some soup
for Emily and get back to the Q's."
Alexis laughed. "Did Cook stage another protest?"
He looked uncomfortable and bit his lower lip as if weighing how
to say what he needed to say. Cameron noticed and knew his son well
enough even now to know he was trying to decide how to give them
bad news. It wasn't anything concrete, just the echo of a moment
from long ago when young Alexander had to tell his parents that
he'd allowed their dog Riley to get loose and he'd run away. When
he finally got the words out he cried and ran out to find him. Searching
for days and nights until he finally had to give up, he kept at
it trying to make things better, to make them right again.
Zander pulled over a chair and sat down. Running his long fingers
through his hair, he whispered, "Emily has breast cancer."
Alexis felt a twinge inside her heart and grasped his hand. "Oh,
Zander, I'm so very sorry."
He shrugged. "The chemotherapy is making her sick and it seems
only Kelly's soup helps her." He chuckled sadly, "Last
time I tried to bring her soup the old man thought I was bringing
her drugs. Can you imagine? I love her. Why would I try to hurt
her?"
Cameron replied, his voice rough with emotion. "That old man
is an ass."
Zander looked surprised and a bit confused at his Father's response.
"Well, I'm determined to see her through this so she gets well.
She did everything she could to push me away but I'm in no matter
how long it takes."
Alexis was still in shock but it explained so many things - Emily's
listlessness, her discussions with Dobson about her Mother, her
pale pallor, lack of appetite and most of all the engagement to
her nephew.
She gazed at Zander and asked, "So is it safe to assume Emily
was trying to protect you and only pretended to become engaged to
Nikolas?"
Zander recalled the looks that Nikolas and Emily exchanged and,
as much as he didn't want to face it, deep down he knew it was more
than mere pretense.
He nodded. "Yes. Nikolas agreed to help her keep the secret.
The only people who knew until recently were Monica and Alan, Lila,
Nikolas, Liz and Gia. She didn't want the people she loved to watch
her die but Nikolas forced her to go to a support group at GH and
it made a difference. She's ready to live now - and fight for it."
Cameron watched his son speak so matter-of-factly about Emily and
her illness but he could see that he was hiding something. He wasn't
certain whether it involved Emily but it was affecting him beneath
that tough exterior he shows the world.
Cameron touched a hand to his son's arm. "A support group can
make all the difference."
"But I'm supporting her too, Dad."
"I know, Alexander, but you don't have cancer and no matter
how much you love her - and I know you do - you can't support her
the way other women can that are going through the same thing. But
what you can do is be there for her, help her through each day to
believe that, no matter how weak she feels or depressed she becomes,
she has the inner strength to fight to survive. That is your job
and I am happy that she found the courage to share this with you.
She will need your strength."
Zander was a man adrift in a sinking boat as he looked helplessly
at his father. "Dad, I just don't know if I have enough strength
to give her. I'm so afraid of losing her." Two tears slipped
quietly down his cheeks.
"Listen to me. You are one of the strongest, most hardheaded
individuals I know, even worse than me. You always fought me with
every fiber of your being so use that same anger, that same pig-headed
stubbornness to fight alongside Emily. Shape your own pain over
what is happening to her into something positive for her - and for
you."
Cameron reached out a hand and wiped the tears from his son's cheeks
and for once, the touch was welcomed and neither flinched.
Alexis watched father and son connect and knew in that moment there
was hope that both would resolve their issues and find some common
ground. Not today although a start presented itself neither of them
expected, the reason unwanted and heartbreaking. She knew she'd
just witnessed two very well constructed walls, sturdy ones built
with the mortar of anger and pain and disillusionment, begin to
crack and buckle and someday the gravity of their hearts would prevail
and the walls would just tumble and fall away.
Zander looked at his father with a new light in his eyes. He still
didn't trust him or even like him very much but he would remember
his words and his concern.
He stood up. "I'm going to head back to Em. Ah… thank
you for listening." He looked into his father's eyes. "Both
of you."
Alexis finally spoke as her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. "We
are always here, Zander, both of us. Give our love to Emily, please,
and don't be a stranger." She reached up, held him to her and
kissed his cheek. She turned to look at Cameron and saw the same
tears mirror her own.
Zander turned to leave and as he walked by his father, he reached
out and squeezed his shoulder. It was a beginning.
They remained quiet during lunch, just scattered discussion about
nothing in particular. Zander's news had rocked them and they were
just content to be together, both pleased Zander felt comfortable
confiding in them.
Alexis looked at her watch and remembered her meeting. "Sorry
to have to run but I have an appointment. Thanks for lunch."
She leaned down and kissed his cheek.
Cameron grumbled, "Who said I was paying? I'd like to know
where your feminist credo disappears to when you have lunch with
me. Ever hear of Dutch treat?"
She leaned down again and murmured, "No, but I'll be happy
to leave a tip." And with that she kissed him deeply until
he thought he would pass out from lack of oxygen.
She smirked at his surprised expression as she waggled her fingers
at him in goodbye and walked briskly out the door.
Too briskly, Cameron mused. He'd noticed her checking her watch
numerous times and shredding her napkin, a clear giveaway that she
was nervous. He could also gauge how nervous by the size of the
shreds and the ones now gracing the table were microscopic. Something
was up and he was going to find out what. He threw some bills down
on the table, saluted a farewell to Penny and headed out to find
out what was up with his favorite butler.
* * *
Alexis paced the pier and tried to bring her breathing under control.
She wasn't certain which was more disconcerting, not breathing at
all or hyperventilating. She'd done both since she arrived at Pier
98 and the delay was not giving her comfort. She heard footsteps
and started to turn.
"Alexis, sorry I'm late. I just got the last communication
we needed."
"So, Leo, what port of call is my dear psychotic stepmother
visiting today?"
"They changed the ship's name from Circe to Galatea
before the ship reached Dover, England but not the registry, somewhat
sloppy paperwork given Helena's compulsive tendencies. They are
docked in Dover and a woman matching her description was seen disembarking,
entering a car and driving into the Kent countryside. We have someone
tailing the car."
Alexis looked puzzled. "The countryside? I would have thought
London."
Leo shrugged. "We are attempting to hack into…" His
cellular rang and he answered brusquely, nodding a few times and
barking at the caller. He flipped the cell closed and turned to
Alexis.
"How odd…can you think of any reason she would visit an
old estate in Kent, one that was abandoned years ago?"
Alexis stiffened and turned her eyes to the water, hoping to find
calm there to quiet the rough seas of her emotions. Her mind raced
back to the past, her senses assailed by the scent of roses and
honeysuckle, the tinkling of wind chimes that whispered the hint
of a melody as they sifted the cool summer breeze, the taste of
the soft English rain on her lips as she lifted her face to welcome
the storm.
Leo could see she had drifted away and repeated his question. "Alexis,
did you hear me? Can you think of any reason she would visit that
estate?"
She turned to him with unfathomable eyes. "It is where Kristina
and I lived with my Mother. And where she was murdered."
Leo started to speak and the cellular rang again. He answered and
frowned. "Are you certain? Anything else? Fine, make sure you
don't lose her."
Alexis looked at him curiously. "What?"
"She is on her way back to Dover. The yacht is making ready
to set sail. The harbormaster found it in his best interest to be
cooperative and told our people they are heading to the coast of
France. They can't be certain if the port destination is Calais
or Le Havre but, as luck would have it, they intercepted a cellular
communication. The final destination, Alexis, is Paris."
Alexis took a deep breath and set her shoulders. "Then that
is where I'm going."
Leo touched her arm as he shook his head. "I don't think that
is wise until we find out what she's up to."
"No, Leo, I will take it from here. I will face her down and
find out what she is planning. Just have your people keep her in
their crosshairs until I get there."
"Alexis, why didn't you have Nikolas use your own security
people? I'm damn good at what I do…"
"And your prices reflect it," she snorted.
He shook his head and continued, "… and so are my people
but the Cassadines…"
"Can't be trusted. Oh I don't mean Nikolas or my brother but
I don't want to alarm them before it is necessary. Employees, even
trusted ones, are only human and Helena has a history of turning
people to her will. I can't take the chance she has a spy in the
security force. I'm not even taking the jet because it is too easy
to trace. Thank you, Leo, I'll be in touch." She hugged him
goodbye and walked away to flip open her phone.
"Hi, Doc, it's Alexis Davis. What is the next direct flight
to Paris, open return? No, I don't care what it costs. 2:45p, JetBlue
Flight 2089 to JFK, connecting to Air France Flight 45 to Paris.
Book me. Thanks."
Alexis stood for a moment staring out into the harbor, searching
her heart as her mind filtered her options and what she had to do.
She knew she needed to make excuses to Edward, Ned and her family
but that was easy, telling Cameron she'd be out of town for a few
days was not. So she decided to play it safe and wait until she
arrived at JFK International. She knew he would want to go with
her and that would not fit into her plans. If anything happened
to her, he was the only hope for her daughter. She turned and strode
off down the dock.
Cameron stepped out of the shadows frowning as he watched her walk
away. He heard part of her conversation with the other man and it
disconcerted him. She was determined to follow up on her hunch and
from what she said - and by what she refused to say - her target
was a dangerous psychotic woman. He also knew that her fears for
Kristina would always outweigh her caution for herself. He would
die rather than allow anything to happen to her or Kristina. He
knew what he had to do.
He dialed a number on his cell and got voice mail. "Zander,
this is Dad. I have to go out of town for a few days and it has
to do with Alexis. I need your help. Come to my apartment as soon
as you get this."
He dialed the next call. "Yes, I need a seat on the following
flights to Paris from Port Charles, New York…"
* * *
The flight to JFK was smooth and waiting in the lounge at Air France
Alexis finally found time to breathe. She had no idea where to look
when she got to Paris but Helena possessed a certain predictability
in some ways so she would spend the flight trying to strategize
her game plan. She left a message on Cameron's cell phone hoping
he would not be angry but that was a faint hope indeed. She knew
she was possibly jeopardizing her visitation with her daughter but
everything she had done and will do now is to protect her baby.
They called her flight and as she moved to the concourse gate, she
prayed she wasn't in over her head.
Cameron breath caught in his throat as he listened to the rambling
message on his voice mail.
"Cameron, it's Alexis. I have to go out of town for a few days
and I wondered if you wouldn't mind watching over Kristina. What
am I saying? It's you - of course you won't mind! What I meant was
just watch to make certain Ned and Skye don't do something stupid.
I wish I could tell you where I was going but it is a private family
matter and even Nikolas and Stefan don't know about it - gatekeeper
stuff and all that <nervous laughter>. Oh… something
just popped into my head that I keep forgetting to tell you so I
may as well tell you now. My important papers - and Kristina's -
are in a safety deposit box at The First National Union Bank on
Ludlow Street. The box number is written on the small blue pad in
the top drawer of the end table next to my bed. The key is in a
matchbox in the third drawer of the left kitchen cabinet. I know,
strange place, huh? Well, since I never go in the kitchen, it will
never get misplaced, right? <giggles> So now if you
need to get to my documents for any reason, you can. Take care of
my daughter, Cameron, and take care of you until I come back to
you. We do have unfinished business, don't we?"
So now if you need to get to my documents for any reason, you
can.
She believed she might never come back, Cameron thought, swallowing
nervously as he boarded the plane to Paris.
He would never let that happen.
* * *
Alexis was exhausted and fell asleep the moment they took off and
had to be awakened by the steward. It was best she got her rest
now since she didn't know when she would be sleeping again. Maybe
she was being overly cautious but when a woman who is supposed to
be imprisoned is in fact nonchalantly roaming the world, especially
this particular woman, there is every reason to be proactive.
L'aéroport de Roissy-Charle de Gaulle was very busy, unusually
so to her practiced eye, but Alexis breezed through customs and
set off in search of a taxi. She exited the terminal and walked
into the bright French sun. She needed to find a hotel room in Paris,
change her clothes and check in with Leo's contacts. At any other
time, she would love to be here especially if Cameron was with her.
Paris was special, intimate and passionate, its nooks and crannies
pleading to be explored by lovers. She adored Paris and wanted to
share it with the one she loved but now was not the time. She squinted
in the glaring sun looking for the taxi stand when she spotted him
leaning casually against a taxi with his hands in his pockets, his
stance relaxed and nonchalant looking for all the world as if he
belonged in Paris.
He grinned and asked, "Looking for a taxi, lady?"
Damn him, she thought sourly.
She glared at him and before she could say a word he chuckled, "Cat
got your tongue, counselor? Aren't you glad to see your loveable
shrink?"
She gritted her teeth. "Just what in hell are you doing here?
You're supposed to be watching my daughter."
He knew she was angry and merely shrugged. "My son has assumed
watcher duties until we return. You trust him and so do I."
"Well, lover boy, you are heading back on the next flight out
because I don't need you here. I have business to transact and I
can take care of myself, thank you very much."
"So, that's why you left me that cryptic message about safety
deposit boxes and knowing where to find your papers. Sounds to me
like you expect not to come back."
"It is always good to be prepared and I wanted someone I trust
to know these things. I fully intend to come back."
